Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Around lunch time I was done with everything and had packed part of it into a basket. Then I headed out toward Mrs. Byrne. After I’d dropped off a container with each dish, to her utter surprise and begrudging thanks, I headed on to Talulla’s shop. Her face tightened when she saw me.
“I come with a peace offering,” I said.
I set the basket down on the counter and pulled out my cooking. Talulla watched with raised eyebrows. Today her dark hair was put up in a messy bun.
“Traditional Irish food. I’m practicing for the potluck on Sunday.”
After a moment of hesitation, she dug into the cake with a generous dollop of custard sauce. “That’s better than anything they serve in the pubs around here. Good, really good.”
I smiled. “Now you can focus on your work and don’t have to take care of your lunch and dinner.”
With a wave, I left. The more people I had on my side, the easier things would be for me. My last stop was Maeve’s place. By now my feet ached and my arm was stiff from carrying the basket for so long, but Maeve’s ecstatic expression when she spotted me in front of her door soothed my physical pain.
“You have to eat with me. Seamus won’t be back until very late tonight. He and Lorcan are paying a visit to the photographer your sister went to and then later they have a meeting at the Doom Loop.”
“Do they?” I asked. Apparently, Seamus always gave Maeve a briefing of important events from Seamus. Lorcan was still a closed book. I needed to change that.
I helped Maeve set the table and unloaded the rest of the basket.
“Wow,” she breathed. “I really would love to start with cake, but I’ll be good.”
I chuckled. “Do what you want. I don’t mind.”
She considered the cake then shook her head with a resolute smile. “Cottage pie first, then cake.”
We dug in and I told her about Finn and Lorcan’s suggestion to bring him to New York.
“That’s a wonderful idea! I’d love to help you take care of him. I love kids and I have experience watching them. I pretty much raised my sisters.”
“I still don’t know. He’d be part of Lorcan’s world. I don’t want that for him.”
“I’m sure Lorcan won’t expect him to become part of his clan, especially because of his…” Maeve looked at me with uncertainty in her eyes. I nodded. I knew what she meant, and though I didn’t want Finn to be part of Five-Leaf-Clover, I didn’t want his spasms or stutter to be the reason for it.
“He’s only three.”
“Yeah.” Deep in my heart, I wanted Finn here. Mum was busy with work, and Finn was mostly left to his own devices. Mum loved him but I knew how the debt forced her to work overtime. It had always been like that. Imogen and I had had each other but Finn didn’t have anyone.
“I’ll call my mother tonight.”
Maeve touched my hand. “I’ll help you however I can. I’ve been looking for something to do. I’m bored out of my mind.”
I chuckled and pointed at her belly. Maeve’s pregnancy wasn’t apparent yet because she was a bit on the curvy side and she wasn’t far along. “Soon you’ll be busy.”
“That’s in six months! And I took care of an infant and a toddler before.”
I felt lighter when I left Maeve and made my way home, I passed the police station again, my eyes seeking the barred windows, and wondering where Desmond was. But I didn’t slow my pace.
It was six o’clock when I returned home, and I picked up the phone before I could lose my courage.
Mum didn’t pick up. It was shortly before lunch time in Dublin. I put all the food I’d cooked into the fridge. If Lorcan didn’t return for dinner, I didn’t need to let it sit at room temperature. I scoffed. I was a real wife, cooking and warming my husband’s bed.
My phone rang and I picked up immediately.
“Aislinn, what’s up?”
I could barely hear Mum over the sounds of voices and clanking dishes in the background. Was she in the pub? I thought she had the evening shift.
“Are you at work?”
“Yeah, Sean needed me and I need the money.” I didn’t have to ask who would watch Finn all day.
“Mum, I think it would be best if Finn came to New York.”
Silence.
“Pardon?”
“I have time to take care of him. And Lorcan will pay for all the costs. It’ll make things easier for you.”
“Aislinn, maybe things don’t seem like it just yet, but being part of a Devaney’s life isn’t easy or safe.”
“I know, Mum. This isn’t for always. You know that. Only until I can return. But Finn needs someone who loves him. I don’t know when I’ll be back. He can’t be left on the sideline until then.”